Carnation named Kleficaro

ABSTRACT

A new variety of miniature carnation plant originated as a sport of the hybrid carnation variety `Klefitoni` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,704) and distinguished as a fast growing plant producing blooms of a light orange color with red spots or small patches on the flower petals, the plant having strong stems, an average height of about 60 cm., and medium broad leaves in a moderate quantity.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

This new carnation variety was discovered by me in 1985 as a sport ofthe carnation variety `Klefitoni` growing in my nursery at Stuttgart,West Germany, and this sport was selected by me for propagation becauseof the unusual coloration of its bloom and propagation was done by meand under my direction by means of cuttings at Stuttgart and severalsuccessive generations of this plant generated at Stuttgart by means ofcuttings have demonstrated clearly that the novel characteristics ofthis new plant hold true from generation to generation and appear to befirmly fixed. This new variety of carnation is now being propagated bymeans of cuttings and on a commercial scale at Stuttgart, as well as inItaly and in Israel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

This new miniature carnation plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographic drawing which shows, in full color, a blooming stem andparts thereof, with the color rendition being as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to obtain by conventional, commercial photographicprocedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following is a detailed description of this new miniature carnationvariety as observed on plants grown in my nursery at Stuttgart, WestGermany, with color designations according to The R.H.S. Colour Chartpublished by The Royal Horticultural Society at London, England.

THE PLANT

Origin: Sport.

Parent variety: `Klefitoni` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,704).

Classification:

Botanic.--Dianthus caryophyllus.

Commercial.--Miniature Carnation.

Form: Bush.

Height: About 60 cm. (first flush).

Growth: Upright and sturdy.

Branching character: Normal.

Foliage:

Quantity.--Moderate with about sixteen leaves per stem in summertime.

Leaf size.--Moderate; about 7 cm. long and about 0.8 cm. wide.

Leaf shape.--Oblong with entire margins.

Texture.--Smooth.

Color.--Upper side: Blue Green. Under side: Blue Green.

Ribs: Single and axial.

Petioles: None. The leaf is amplexicaul.

THE BUD

Size: Medium.

Diameter.--About 15 mm. in average.

Length.--About 35 to 40 mm. according to maturity.

Shape: Ovoid.

Rate of opening: Moderate.

Color of petals: When sepals first divide and petals begin to unfurl:Light Orange.

Sepals:

Number.--Five.

Character.--The sepals stand up when the flower opens.

Color.--Inside and outside: Gray-Green.

Calyx:

Shape.--Cylindrical.

Size.--About 15 mm. wide and about 20 mm. long.

Splitting.--The calyx does not split.

Aspect.--Smooth.

Flower stem: as a product of a pinched main stem

Length.--About 40 to 50 cm., depending upon season of growth.

Character.--Strong and erect.

Color.--Gray-Green.

THE FLOWER

Blooming habit: Continuous the year around, all flowering stems being ofpinched stem production.

Size of bloom: Medium.

Diameter.--About 45 to 55 mm. according to season.

Depth.--Averaging about 40 mm.

Borne: Singly, after disbudding the flowering stem.

Shape: High center when bloom first opens, becoming near to dome-shapedas the bloom matures.

Petalage:

Number of petals.--About 35 to 42.

Form.--Fan-shaped with serrated margins.

Arrangement.--Imbricated.

Texture.--Soft.

Appearance.--Shiny.

Color.--RHS 19-C with red spots or small patches of 67-A.

Flower stem:

Length.--About 45 to 60 cm. according to season.

Color.--Gray-Green.

Character.--Sturdy and upright.

Effect of wet or hot weather: None. This plant is extremely good underoutside growing conditions.

Persistence: The bloom stays upright and the petals hang on and dry.

Fragrance: None.

Lasting quality:

On the plant.--About fifteen days.

As a cut flower.--About twelve days depending on room conditions.

THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens:

Arrangement.--General.

Anthers.--Anthers and pollen are rarely present.

Pistil:

Number.--One.

THE SEEDS

Fertility: The seeds are fertile.

Shape: Ovoid.

Color at maturity: Green-Brown.

This plant is a fast growing miniature carnation with a blossom in alight orange color with red stripes, the plant having strong stems withgreen-blue, medium broad leaves. Other than flower color, this varietymost nearly resembles the parent plant with respect to growth habit andphysical characteristics.

I claim:
 1. The new carnation plant, substantially as herein shown anddescribed, characterized by being a fast growing miniature varietyhaving an average plant height of about 60 cm. producing medium sizedflowers of a light orange color having red petal markings growing onstrong stems having a moderate amount of medium broad, green-blueleaves.